By Christy Anyanwu
Ace designer, Frank Osodi, is a household name in the fashion industry in Africa. He is the chief executive officer/chief designer of Bunor Creazioni.
He is also the president of Professional Model Managers’ Association of Nigeria (ProMMAN).
He was the handsome dude on the popular television advert of Macleans toothpaste sometime back with the tagline, “Be successful, be important, use Macleans toothpaste,” a jingle that reigned for a long time.
Recently, Osodi turned 60 and relieved memories of his life and much more with Sunday Sun.
At 60, what do you intend to do next, or would you rather retire from your job as a designer?
Thank God I don’t feel 60, I feel 40. I’m strong, I’m healthy and I’m happy. I will not retire. I am an artist. I’m a born artist. I will continue to work as a designer and as an artist for as long as I live. We are going to do more to impact the young ones that are ready to work and learn. So, right now I am thinking of enjoying my work and doing it as comfortably as I can and impacting the younger ones. Artists don’t retire.
Many people don’t see you as an artist, but as a designer…
Designers are creative people also. They are artists. Designers are creative people and they are artists in their own right. We don’t paint on canvas, but we paint on people’s bodies. I like being creative not only in my fashion, but also in my thinking, selling my ideas to people as a creative person.
What brought you into the limelight as Frank Osodi, the designer?
I won the Intercontinental Designer of the Year award by Silverbird years ago. From Silverbird, I started creating things for beauty queens. However, when Agbani Darego (Miss World) won, I became a household name and, ever since then, I have never looked back.
Why do you prefer designing for the opposite gender?
My love for the opposite gender: they like everything that shines, they like everything that is appealing, they like colours. So, it is easier and more interesting and more creative, for women, to design clothes that will fit their beautiful, curvy bodies; and don’t forget we have women in different shapes and sizes. To embellish those bodies with colours, feathers and ornaments is quite interesting. The female body is always interesting to create something for, as against men. Men don’t do anything like that. Men wear the same thing in different colours. For women, it gives joy to create for their bodies. They enjoy carrying them in a way that makes the designer happy and overjoyed. There was a time I wanted to design a few pieces for men, but I didn’t find it very interesting. It wasn’t picking my brain. For me, I like to play with accessories, which you don’t find on men’s clothing. You don’t find studs, stones, blings on men’s clothings, because I like to play with those things in my artwork and my pieces and you can only embellish women’s clothings and be more creative as an artist.
If there’s reincarnation, would you change from being a designer?
I would still be a creative person. I would be a designer. I would also be a musical artist, but my father must be very wealthy so that I can use his money very well to express myself as an artist and as a designer.
Years back it was called ‘tailoring’ so how did your parents feel when they realised you were going to be a tailor?
My family never objected. My mother was hesitant at first. At one point, she was compelled to buy me a machine. That’s what I used to learn. So, my family has always supported me. My mother used to make clothes. So, I had my first tutelage under her. She used to take me and my siblings to accompany her on Saturdays when she’s off to work and help her to draft some patterns. She showed us where to pin, where to chalk and all that. She got us involved in fashion designing and on a little creative journey. She wasn’t sewing for people, she just sewed for herself and my sisters, while she had a job. So, I have always had the backing of my family.
When you are not in the studio, what do you do?
I spend more time on the project I’m working on. I’m constantly updating my proposals and getting information on those things. Don’t forget I’m the president of the Professional Models Managers’ Association. Those are the things that take my time. Sometimes, I find time to go for dinner with friends and I like to travel also. I listen to music. I listen to all music, but as the years go by, I now listen to more gospel music. I do jazz and R&B.
What lessons did life teach you?
In my 60 years on earth, the lesson I have learnt is to live your life as simply as possible. It helps you to overcome all the hurdles and all the stress of life when you live your life in the simplest form. Learn to love people, the kind of love you give out comes back to you. The kind of affection you give out is the kind of affection you receive. So, it helps you in many ways. Live your life in a simple way, love more, enjoy life more in the simplest and the best of forms, and learn to share. All those things come back to you, to bless you. Pray as well, as often as possible. This life is filled with so many mysteries and obstacles and also so much good luck, favour and divine intervention. You have to decide what path of life you want to follow and follow it.
What’s your view about the modelling industry in Nigeria today and, as president of ProMMAN, what are the plans for the organisation?
We have a lot of Nigerian models who are working locally and internationally. We have a lot of them who are doing very well. We have a lot of them who have excelled and are doing great things. Right now, there’s a reform going on, the association is working with APCON to sanitise the modelling and advertising industry. The new president of APCON, Mr Lekan Fadolapo, is doing very well. We are working very hard towards propagating, setting laws and making the employment of models in the country very favourable. Things are happening and we are thanking God for that.
What of ushers, are they part of your association?
No, they are not part of us. But sales promo is different from ushering. They use models for promos as well; it is different from modelling. Our association comprises billboard models, TV fashion, photography, posters, calendar, table top calendar, point of sales posters, editorials for magazines, etcetera.